COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State football team will open the 2012 season ranked 18th in the Associated Press poll released Saturday morning. The Buckeyes received a total of 474 points from the 60 national writers, just behind Nebraska’s 485 at No. 17.

Ohio State leads all FBS schools with 789 appearances all-time in the AP Top 25 poll. Michigan is second at 775 appearances. Ohio State has appeared in the AP preseason poll for 24 consecutive seasons, the longest streak in the country. Oklahoma is second with 13 straight appearances. It also marks the 45th consecutive season with at least one appearance in the poll, tying Alabama.

A total of five Big Ten schools are ranked in the top 20. Michigan comes in at No. 8, followed by No. 12 Wisconsin and No. 13 Michigan State.

Ohio State kicks off the 2012 season at Noon, Sept. 1 against Miami (OH) at Ohio Stadium.